Hi @Cole ... thank you for sharing your update. I don't have anything to share relative to Caelyx however I just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you. I can only imagine how scary hospitalization must have been due to the obstruction, and of course the pain associated with it. I read that "Udderly Smooth" cream has been used by a few other Teal Sisters who had Caelyx treatments. Not sure if that's the brand you are using.
I'm also cutting/pasting an excerpt from a post I found on OVd regarding Caelyx and the side effects. I'm not sure if you have already seen this but in the event you haven't, I hope some of this may be useful for you. As well, there's an upcoming Teal Tea on August 25th. If you are feeling well enough to participate, it may also be a source of information from other Teal Sisters. Sending you hugs. 🤗
"As to my treatment with Caelyx (& Avastin), I have found the side effects generally get better after the first couple of cycles. Personally, Day 1 & 2 have presented with a face rash which anti-inflammatories help. I take Dexamethozone oral prescription for 3 days following chemo. I also add a 1/2 Reactine (Centirizine) as needed if the rash gets redder & hotter. Ice gel packs are soothing too. Usually, by Day 3/4 the face rash resolves & my energy is coming back. Sometimes a lower back pain kicks in after sitting but my doctor believes it to be from the Avastin. I can deal with these pesky discomforts.
Over this period of 3/4 post chemo days my tummy is off but I can still eat small amounts of softer foods which helps actually. Taking Metonia a half hour before eating does work if this queasy feeling persists. I did a few times just to get rid of that yucky feeling. My voice is sometimes hoarse even now but it usually goes away. Gargling after brushing with a tsp. of baking soda in a cup of warm water helps to clean mouth & keep mouth cankers at bay. I leave a glass ready in bathroom to gargle & rinse every time I'm in the bathroom. This one is manageable now.
The roof of my mouth didn't get sore until the second round. A couple of cankers were rather painful. I finally hit on an over the counter med called ZILACTON-B after trying the prescribed Magic Mouthwash & other oral gel type treatments. It was the best for encapsulating a canker so you could try eating & stayed on for a couple of hours. I tried several tooth pastes as most sting & I finally hit on one the dentist gave me CLINPRO 5000. I use a small amount with lots of cool water still to this day even though I haven't had a sore for the last three cycles. Definitely spicy or minty flavours enflame my mouth so I stay clear of them. Crusty foods can irritate as well. My taste buds have continued to be somewhat off but have started to come back lately. Good one!
I had been warned about a midriff rash under your breasts & sure enough I had a pimply rash come & go during cycle 4. I used a ton of creams, mostly Glaxol Base but eventually found Penaten cream for diaper rash worked well. This rash has not come back but a few spots sometimes appear & I put on Penaten & they go away! Very happy about that.
Keep your hands & feet slathered in a good lotion several times a day.bI have tubes & pots on every table. Vaseline covered by cotton socks every few nights helps my dry feet. Shower, bathe & wash in cool water. Heat brings chemo to surface of skin. My hands feel a little tight in the morning & somewhat numb so it is probably a little neuropathy. Cold relieves this hand side effect so I grasp onto a cold jar or can for a few minutes in the morning. Problem solved.
When I read this over I hope I haven't over whelmed you. This is my experience & I wouldn't change my treatment. What I've learned this time is be proactive & don't wait for a side effect. I should add my oncologist has reduced my dose of Caelyx slightly to help with any of these side effects.
So to finish off .... gargle throughout the day, have over the counter meds ready, use plenty of body cream, take prescribed meds to get over a hump, get fresh air when you can, persevere & you can manage OK. It may take a few cycles & then again I hope you might have no side effects."